Refrigerating apparatus.



Patented May 2|, |90I. G. H. ABRAMS.

REFRIGERATlM APPARATUS.

(Application led June 5, 1898.)

(No Model.) 2 Sheen-Sheet I.

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Patented May 2|, |90I.

2 Sheets-Shet 2.

G. H. ABRAMS.

(Application led June 5, 189B.)

REFRIGERATING APPARATUS.

(No Model.)

W/TNESSES Nrrnn STATES PATENT Ormes.

GEORGE H. ABRAMS, OF BROOKLYN, NEV YORK.

REFRIGERATING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part 0f Letters :Fatemi No. 674,822, dated May 21, 1901.

Application filed June 5,1896. Serial No. 594,354. LNo model.;

To all tlf/tom, t may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE H. ABRAMS, a citizen of' the United States, residing in Brooklyn, Kings county, in the State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Refrigerating Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

The invention applies to all that class of refrigerating-machines which operate by the mechanical compression and subsequent expansion of a gas. I provide a compact and eflicient apparatus and also a system employing the same for utilizing a substantial portion of the heat developed by the compression by heating the feed-water for steamboilers or attaining other useful purposes.

I will describe the invention as carried out with the use of atmospheric air, the same or different air being first compressed to a high tension to render sensible a large quantity ofheat, and after a portion of the heat is removed, at such a high temperature as to be useful in the arts, the compressed air is allowed to partially expand and give out power. Then the partially-expanded air is further cooled in effecting a preliminary heating of air and also by ordinary means, and inally is very greatly cooled by a special exposure to air at low temperature. After all this the thoroughlyvcooled air is allowed to serve in an engine and give out all the power of which it is capable and also to develop the intense cold required. The power developed in the expansion partially offsets the power consumed in the compression. Other points in this system are made the subjects of separate applications for patent. The present invention applies entirely to the portion of the apparatus in which the heat is taken away from the compressed air prior to its being allowed to act expansively to develop the low temperature required.

There have long been known forms of apparatus which are termed heat-exchangers, in which the heat contained in a fluid at high temperature is transferred to another fluid received at a low temperature, the fluids being kept separate and so conditioned that either may maintain a pressure much higher than that of the other. It has long been known that by sending the two fiuids in opposite directions through such apparatus the fluid to be cooled shall on entering be brought into intimate relations with the fluid which is to be warmed as the latter is about to leave in nearly its warmest condition, and the iiuid to be warmed shall on entering be brought into intimate relations with the fluid which is to be cooled as the latter is about to leave, and is consequently in nearly its coolest condition, the arrangement insuring that nearly all the heat will be transferred from one fluid to the other. My apparatus similarly presents the fluids to each other; but I have introduced important improvements in the construction and arrangement of the apparatus, whereby it is made more compact. It is highly convenient and efficient.

My apparatus provides for giving great elasticity in the pipes to allow for the expansion and contraction of the metal.

The accompanying drawings-form a part of' this specification and represent what I consider the best means of carrying out the invention. v

Figure l is a diagrammatic view illustrat-l ing in general elevation the heat-exchanger embodying myinvention in its connected relation to the compressor and other apparatus. Fig. 2 is a central vertical section through the feed-heating or heatexchanging portion of the apparatus. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the line 3 3 in Fig. 2. Fig. ais a vertical section of a portion on the line 4C 4 in Fig. 2, parts being removed to disclose the pipe-union or box. The remaining figures show a modification. Fig. 5 is a central vertical section; Fig. 6, a horizontal section on the line 6 6 in Fig. 5, and Fig. 7 is a vertical section on the line 7 7 in Fig. 5.

The drawings show the novelparts with so much of the ordinary parts as will suffice to show their relations thereto.

Similailetters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures where they appear.

Referring to Figs. l, 2, and 3, A is a rigid casing of cast-iron or other suitable material, in which the temperature is highest, as will presently appear.

B is a tall casting bolted on the casing A and containing in its base a chamber B and having also an upper extended chamber B2,

in which the heated air is still further cooled IOO after its partial cooling in the hot chamber below. The entire casting B is cylindrical and adapted to endure a high pressure. It is traversed by two partitions, which may be plane. They inclose between them the chamber B3, which is filled with asbestos or other good non-conductor of heat. The chambers B', B2, and B4 carry air at a high pressure,

which is circulated actively in the direction opposite to the general direction of that in the inclosed pipes,which will be described farther on. The chambers B and B2are directly connected andare subjected fo a flow of air entering first at the chamber B', being transferred directly from one end of this chamberinto the chamber B2. The air, highly heated by the compressor, is received through the pipe O into the chamber A, Where it is partially cooled, giving very nearly its own temperatu re to the previously-warmed air, which ills this chamber, as will presently appear. The pipe C is convoluted, so as to present a great surface within the chamber A, properly conditioned to allow expansion and contraction with changes of temperature. I prefer that the air thus circulated through the pipe C shall be in the condition of that set forth in the application for patent by me led May 15,

` way of the apparatus shown in mysaid applicationerial No. 59l,641,for an air-compressor' to the apparatus at a later stage through the Here the 'main portion of the remaining heat in the compressed airis removed and carried same and is subsequently recompressed to a 1' less degree and led away for utilization by expansion. The compressed hot air afterits passage through the pipe C is again returned by pipe D, which delivers it into the chamber B. Here it is cooled by the presence of a great number of convoluted pipes, to be described farther on. After circulating through this chamber B the partiallycooled air rises through the tall chamber B2, which occupies' nearly one-half of the cylindrical casting B and there having imparted more of its heat to a further system of pipes at a lower temperature, to be presently described, flows out through a pipe D. This airstill at substantially the same high pressure Hows through the ordinary system of pipes (not shown) showeredwith water in the ordinary manner and universally known as the condenser.77

away with the water. Lastly, before such air is allowed to expand and' produce cold it is brought from the condenser through the pipe E and introduced into the lower portion Here it circulates in contact with pipes which are at a low temperature, and it is correspondingly cooled to or.` It liows out i of the tall chamber Bl.

below the ordinary temperature. thus cooled, but still retaining its high prespacking of non-conducting material.

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sure, through the pipe'E and goes to the engine, (not shown,) where it is expanded and develops the cold required.

The pipes which convey through the several chambers the fluid which is to be heated are peculiarly adapted to present much surface to receive the heat from the air outside and impart it to the Huid insideto maintain strength, and especially to provide liberally for expansion and contraction due to changes of the temperature. I can use any liuid to be thus heated and. utilized. Underordinary conditions such may be assumed to be either air or water. I Will generally refer to it as water. The water is admitted at any temperature which is available-I will assume it to be at or near 100 Fahrenheit-through the pipe M. Within the chamber B2 the stream is divided and carried through two pipes M and M2, each formed as shown, in equally-spaced convolutions M4 and set so that the horizontal convolutions of one pipe M shall lie between the corresponding convolutions of the other pipe M2. Near the bottom of the chamber B2 these pipes are united in a single box M3. A number of pipes N, bent as shown, traverse the chamber Bl. The upper end of each is connected to the box M2. The lower end of each delivers into the chamber A. The water descending through this system of pipes becomes heated nearly to the required temperature by the tolerably high temperature of the air in the chambers B2 and B'. On entering and circulating within the chamber A it is brought into contact with the intensely-heated pipe C before described, and here it attains its tinal temperature, the high temperature at which it is ultimately discharged through the pipe O, and may be utilized for feeding boilers, treating goods in dyeing establishments, or for any other useful purposes in which large quantities of highlyheated water are required. It will be understood that if the high temperature in this inal chamber A is sufficient to generate steam of considerable pressure it is necessary to pump or otherwise force in the water through the pipe M with a somewhat greater pressure, so that the water will descend through the system of pipes notwithstanding the pressure of the steam in the chamber A. The

'water will be discharged through the pipe O with a pressure which may be utilized in driving or aiding to drive the pump.

I have previously described in part what takes place in the chamber B4, which is maintained at a much lower temperature than the chambers B and B2, the heat being prevented from traversing across by the presence of two partitions and the sufficient intermediate I will now describe such chamber B4 and its work more fully.

Tis a pipe which extends up and down several times in the chamber B4 and effects the cooling of the air which traverses in the IOO l'IO

'spaces between such pipes immediately before its passage to the engine, in which it is allowed to expand and produce both power to aid the compressor and intense cold for the manufacture of ice or for other useful purposes. The pipe E admits compressed air to chamber B'L where it is subjected to the eX- panded air return from the refrigerating apparatus or other suitable source through the pipe T, the connections not being shown. If the refrigerating apparatus is worked in any ordinary manner the air deliveredinto it at a very low tem perature-say, at or below zero of the Fahrenheit scale-returns at aconsiderably-increased temperature by reason of the caloric which it has abstracted from the water in changing it to ice or from the meat in cooling a cold-storage apartment, but its temperature is still far below the ordinary. Assuming that the air is thus received on its return from the refrigerating apparatus at 32 Fahrenheit, its traverse through the pipe T will hold the surface of the latter at a temperature only a little above that point. The effect on the compressed air circulated through the chamber B4 in Contact with such pipe is to lower the temperature of said compressed air down to considerably7 below that of the ordinary atmosphere. This cooling greatly promotes the cold-producing effect of the expansion of such air, which immediately follows.

Modifications may be made without departing from the principle or sacrificing the advantages of the invention. The number of the convolutions M4 in the several pipes and the numbers of the pipes may be increased or reduced. Boiler-iron or other forms of wrought metal may be used for the whole or a portion of the casings A and B. The apparatus instead of being upright may be inverted, or it may be horizontal or variously inclined.

It will be understood that, as already stated, the fluid to be heated may be changed. I attach particular importance to the practicavbility ot sending air instead of water in through the pipe M and allowing air instead of water to be delivered in a heated condition through the pipe O. The selection of one fluid for heating instead of another may vary according as a demand may exist under the particular circumstances in which the apparatus is worked. If there is a use for water and not for air or for air or other elastic fluid in place of water, either may be passed down through the system of pipes M M2.

In case water is used, as first described, and the conditions are such as to generate steam in the chamber A it is important to know about at what depth thewater-surface in the chamber stands.

A is a glass gage-tu be connected at the top and bottom and adapted to make the level of the water plainly visible. I propose to use other ordinary appliances, as non-conductin g clothing, around any portion or the entire apparatus to restrain the radiation of heat and to use light check-valves at any required points in the system to prevent a backflow under any conditions.

In the modification shownin- Figs. 5 to 7, inclusive, is disclosed a constimetion wherein the tall casting B* embodiesforly provisions for heating feed-water. In this modification the water after rising in the vertical series of bends M4* iiows across through an aperture in the partition B3* thence passes downward through a pipe T, located in the chamber BW, thus affording a compact arrangement for the return of the heated water without exposing it to loss of heat, after which it flows through the coil in the chamber B'i, and finally discharges into the base-chamber of the apparatus. A2* shows a vent for 'any excess of pressure in the chamber Ail. It may be constructed in all respects like an ordinary safetyvalve.

Parts designated by letters in the modifications and not referred to in the specification are similar to correspondingly-marked parts in Figs. l to 4, inclusive.

I claim as my in vention- 1. The combination with a primary chamberAinclosinga coil C through which highlyheated compressed air is circulated, ofa second chamber containing a condenser-pipe T, non-conducting wall B3 dividing such chamber into two parts or subchambers B2, B4, and a coil for carrying the fluid to be heated inclosed in one compartment of such second chamber and delivering it to the primary chamber and a connection with said compartment for admitting the compressed air to sur round such coil and be further cooled after it has been previously treated in the primary chamber, a condenser and connections for leading the compressed air to the saine and returning it therefrom to another compartmentof the second chamber and a coilT in the last-named compartment containing cold expanded air returningt'rom use, said chambers being arranged in close relation and together with the coils, 85e., embodied in a single composite structure for utilizing the heat of compression in the air, substantially as herein specified.

2. rlhe combination with a primary chamber A inclosing a coil C through which highlyheated compressed air is circulated, of a second chamber containing a condenser-pipe T, non-conducting wall BS dividing such chamber into two parts orsubchambers B2, B4, and a pair of pipes having the interlocking horizontal bends or convolutions M4 for conveying the duid to be heated and for delivering it to the primary chamber, and a connection with the second chamber for admitting the compressed air thereto but at a lower temperature to circulate externally to said pipe bends or convolutions, said chambers being arranged in close relation and together with the coils, convolutions, duc., being embodied in a single composite structure for utilizing IIO the heat of compression in the air, substantially as herein specified.

3. The combination with the condenser-engine and -refrigerating-room, of a primary chamber Agi-nclosing a coil C, through which highly-heatedzcompressed air is circulated, a second chamber divided by a non-heat-conducting partition into two compartments, a coil in one compartment for conveying the fluid to be heated and for deliveringit to the primary chamber, a connection with said compartment for admitting compressed air thereto but at. a lower temperature to circulate eX- ternally in contact with the coil therein, return air-pipe from the refrigerating-room in said second compartment, connections for circulating the compressed gas about said pipe on its way to the engine, and induction and cduction openings in the latter for'the circulation of the air after it leaves the other compartment, the chamber and compartments being arranged in close relation and together with the coils, condensing-pipe T, connections, &c., being embodied in a single composite structure for utilizing the heat of compression, substantially as herein speciiied.

4. The combination with a primary charnber A inclosing a coil C through which highlyheated compressed air is circulated, a second chamber mounted thereon and divided by a non-heat-conducting partition into two compartments, one of which contains a pair of pipes having the interlocking horizontal bends or convolutions M4 for conveying the liuid to be heated and for delivering it to the primary chamber, a condensing-pipe in the second compartment,air induction and eduction openings in the latter and a connection and retain the heated air of compression, of the chamber B arranged on chamber A and having connections for the passage of the compressed air at a lower temperature, a pipe M in the chamber B for circulating the fluid to be heated, said pipe having the horizontal interlocking convolutions and continued by a pipe within the chamber B', discharging into the chamber A, substantially as herein specied.

6. In a system forutilizing the heat of compression in compressed air, the combination with a chamber A, having a pipe in bends therein for circulating the heated air of compression, of a compressor communicating with said pipe from both sides of its pist-on, an upper chamber B containing a pipe for containing liquid to be heated, communicating with the chamber, a pipe D establishing communication between the compressor-discharge and the chamber B, and a suitable outlet for the latter, substantially as herein specified.

'7. In a system for utilizing the heat of compression in compressed air, the combination with a condensing-engine and retrigeratingroom, of a chamber A having a pipe in bends therein for circulating the heated air of compression, a compressor communicating with said pipe from both sides of its piston, an upper chamber B, divided by a non-conducting partition into two compartments,a convoluted pipe in the tlrst and discharging into chamber A, a return air-pipe from the refrigerating-room in the other compartment, connections for circulating the compressed gas about said pipe on its Way to the engine, a pipe D establishing communication between the compressor-discharge and the first compartment, and connections for con veying the compressed air from the latter to and through the second compartment, substantially as herein specified.

In testimony that I claim the invention above set forth I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE II. ABRAMS. Witnesses:

J. B. CLAUTICE, M. F. BoYLE. 

